2023 General Election: INEC reviews voter education manual
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the review of its Voter Education Manual and Training Modules.
The review which is holding at Sawalino Hotel, Keffi, Nasarawa State is part of efforts to ensure robust voter education activities ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
According to the INEC, “the purpose of the review is to ensure that all segments of the society are adequately captured in the electoral process and find the best way to introduce new technologies to further improve the conduct of elections. The exercise is being facilitated by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Nigerian Women Trust Fund”.
“Also, the programme would afford the Commission an opportunity to include other modern methods of voter education enlightenment that were hitherto not included in the Manual for robust voter education activities.
INEC explained that the Training Manual which was designed for Voter Education Trainers and Facilitators contains nine Modules targeted at different groups of people in the society.
“Module One, explains the Need for Voter Education and the Content of Voter Education, while Module Two dwells on Elections, Democracy and Governance.
Module Three contains details about Planning and Facilitating a Voter Education event which includes Voter Education strategies, effective communication skills and characteristics of successful voter education, while Module Four treats the Legal Framework for Elections.
Module Five is on the Election Management Bodies of Nigeria, which focuses on the structure and composition of INEC and SIECs, electoral officials and their duties among other issues.
Module Six discusses the Electoral Process in Nigeria. The aim is for voters to be acquainted with the registration process, the nomination of candidates, campaign, polling process and declaration of results among others.
The last three Modules – Seven, Eight and Nine discuss Political Parties and Elections, Election Petitions and Inclusion respectively, which specifically target the marginalised groups including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the elderly,” the Commission explained.
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Speaking at the opening of the Review Meeting, the Director Voter Education and Publicity Mr. Nick Dazang who declared the meeting open on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, (IVEC), Festus Okoye, said that the process of review of the Training Manual started as far back as 2004 when it introduced optic map registration forms.
Mr. Dazang explained that the Commission has consistently introduced technologies to keep on improving the conduct of elections in the country adding that the Commission is reviewing this Manual with a view to upgrading and improving the conduct of elections in 2023.
“As new technologies are being introduced in the conduct of elections, efforts would be made by the Commission to review its voter education strategies to be able to better explain the technologies to Nigerians,” Mr. Dazang said.
He noted that the youth population is increasing in Nigeria and the Commission is making efforts to ensure youth participation in the electoral process adding, “We need to respond to the growing youth population and involve them effectively using their different social media platforms.”
He commended the Westminster Foundation for Democracy for facilitating the review meeting and for consistently supporting the Commission to deliver effective and quality voter education and voter enlightenment.
In attendance were Director, Gender, Mrs. Blessing Obidegwu, Deputy Director Publicity, Mr. Andy Ezeani, Deputy Director, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Mrs. Dorothy L. Bello, Deputy Director, Voter Education, Mrs. Mary Nkem, Assistant Director, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ugboaja other Directing Staff of Voter Education and Publicity and Staff of the Department.
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